What about who it covers?

The law applies to rentals of homes, apartments, villas, chalets, bungalows, rooms or similar units that form a homogeneous, independent whole, for periods of no more than one year and no less than 24 hours, by people who do it habitually and for profit, directly or through platforms.

What about what you must do?

Under article 8 of the law, hosts must:

What about the ict registration?

You supply (article 4 of the regulation): your name or company name, ID or company number, the legal representative if a company, legal address, the province, canton and district of the property, its exact address (used only for tax purposes), number of rooms, maximum number of guests, an electronic notification address, website and phone number.

What about consequences of not registering?

Operating without registration is "illegal operation" under article 14 of the law, as is using hotel-type names that mislead about classification. It calls for sanctions as for illegal commercial activity, with involvement of the tax authority, the Ministry of Health and municipalities. The law adds that these rentals may operate in residential zones if they do not negatively affect the surroundings. Platforms must register and warn hosts of their duties.

What about what the documents do not state?

They do not give a registration fee, a renewal rule, safety standards beyond basic cleanliness and sanitary facilities, or municipal rules. Ask the ICT, your municipality and an accountant.

Do I need to register if I only rent a room?

The law covers rooms and similar units rented habitually for profit, so yes, according to its wording. Confirm with the ICT.

How long does the ICT take?

The regulation's annex gives 15 calendar days to validate and send a resolution, with extra time if the ICT asks for corrections.

Do I also register with tax?

Yes. Article 8 of the law requires registration with the Direccion General de Tributacion as a taxpayer.

What about once you are registered?

Registration makes you legal. Distribution makes you earn. If you plan to list on several booking sites, keep one registration number and one calendar in sync across all of them: the free channel manager guide explains how calendar sync works and where it falls short. Fursat's own guest inventory is in India, so if you also run a property there, start at /list-your-property. New to hosting in general? Read How to Start a Homestay in India for the basics that carry across markets.

Journal/Homestay Guides

4 min read · 7 October 2026

How to Register Non-Traditional Lodging (Airbnb-Style Rentals) in Costa Rica

Costa Rica requires hosts of homes, villas, cabins and rooms rented to tourists to register with the ICT and the tax authority. Here is the process from the law and its regulation.

Sneha Surana

costa-ricaictshort-term-rental-registration

How to Register Non-Traditional Lodging (Airbnb-Style Rentals) in Costa Rica

Keep reading.

Do I need to register if I only rent a room?

How long does the ICT take?

Do I also register with tax?

Is there a registration fee?